Release date: 06/11/22

The Malinauskas Labor Government has today delivered on a key election commitment with the commencement of 9am Sunday shop trading.

Under the changes, businesses can still choose to open later than 9am or not at all on Sundays and Boxing Day if they wish.

Workers cannot be forced to work on Sundays and public holidays without their agreement. The Shop Trading Hours (Extension of Hours) Amendment Act 2022 which passed Parliament in October locked in these changes as well as other reforms which deliver certainty for shoppers in the busy Christmas trading period.

The new legislation also locked in three extra days of midnight shopping in the lead up to Christmas. After extensive consultation with businesses, the government can confirm Thursday 15, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 December as midnight trading dates.

These extra hours will be a big boost for Christmas trading and give extra flexibility to busy families planning their holiday shopping.


Quotes

Attributable to Peter Malinauskas

The Labor Government’s sensible shop trading hours reform are now underway and strike the right balance for workers, local small businesses, and shoppers.

This is the biggest change to shop trading hours in almost 20 years, and we’ve been able to deliver it within seven months of taking office.

Our shop trading reforms have increased the shopping window for customers during the busy Christmas period while also helping businesses increase turnover.

Quotes attributable to Kyam Maher

We have consulted extensively with the business community to deliver the three days of midnight trading in the lead up to Christmas.

As we get closer to Christmas and you find you’ve forgotten a present, don’t panic – our Midnight Christmas trading reforms mean the shops will still be open for those last-minute gifts.